5 Lithium Battery Basics Terms You Should Know

Anyone who uses batteries for their home, RV, or boat knows that lithium batteries have revolutionized the power world in recent years. Unfortunately, they may not know much beyond that. Educating yourself about lithium battery basics can feel like learning a new language, especially for the less tech-savvy. But fear not. We’re breaking down those seemingly-nerdy but ultimately crucial terms and concepts that every current and would-be lithium battery owner needs to know.

Lead-acid batteries have been around for generations, but lithium remains a relatively new technology. This can make even tech-savvy buyers feel a bit out of their depth. However, these five terms and concepts can provide a great base for understanding them.

1.Battery Management System (BMS)

When dealing with power generation systems like solar or wind, it’s crucial to remember that these systems will keep producing energy as long as the sun shines or the wind blows, respectively. This is all well and good up to the point where your batteries are fully charged. Beyond this point, you can risk serious damage to your batteries through overcharging.

Conversely, if all the energy is drained from the battery through unchecked usage, you can damage the internal components.

Battery management systems (BMS) prevent this potential hazard. They sit between the power generation system and the batteries. They regulate the flow of electricity between them. A BMS is also valuable for preventing the flow of electricity back to the panels or windmill during periods when the system isn’t generating energy. In addition, they monitor crucial things like temperature and loose connections, helping you resolve small issues before they become big ones.

In this way, a BMS is like the “brain” of the battery. It can help protect the battery’s health and longevity. It also makes these batteries safer. There are potentially flammable components inside batteries, which means it’s critical to keep the batteries running optimally for safety.

2.Lithium Chemistry

Many folks may think all lithium batteries are the same. This isn’t the case.

The next basic lithium battery term you need to know is about lithium chemistry. There are six different main types of lithium chemistry. Each has its own unique advantages and disadvantages. These chemistries are lithium cobalt oxide (LCO), lithium manganese oxide (LMO), lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC), lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide (NCA), lithium titanate (LTO), and lithium iron phosphate (LFP).

Lithium iron phosphate (often referred to as LiFePO4 or LFP) is the chemistry used in Basengreen Batteries. Lithium iron phosphate boasts an extensive lifespan, high performance and efficiency, and thermal stability. With low-resistance materials, they’re among the safest lithium battery types. They can also last thousands of cycles, far longer than some competitors. LiFePO4 batteries are also among the most competitive price-wise. Their downsides are limited to decreased performance in some very cold weather conditions.

As for the other types, you’re more likely to find them in applications like small electronics, portable power tools, or light transportation like e-bikes or electric scooters. They tend to have a shorter lifespan, lower voltage, and worse efficiency than LiFePO4.

3.Thermal Runaway

One of the most serious potential risks of large batteries is thermal runaway. The process starts when a battery operates above its safe temperature, which sparks a chemical reaction within the battery. Damage to the battery can cause this, as well as overcharging or charging too quickly.

This reaction generates heat, further raising the battery temperature and causing more reactions. This process can rapidly cause batteries to catch fire at extremely hot temperatures — so hot they’re very difficult to put out. Naturally, this is something every battery owner should avoid.

Understanding the basics of thermal runaway in lithium batteries requires knowing about the terms discussed in #1 and #2 above. While this chain reaction can happen in any battery, thermal runaway in lithium-ion batteries has gotten some bad media in recent years due to cell phone and hoverboard batteries causing fires on planes.

However, to understand the risk we have to understand which lithium chemistry is in the batteries and whether or not a reliable BMS is in place.

This is really where the lithium battery BMS comes in. Unlike lead-acid batteries, our Basengreen Batteries LiFePO4 batteries all have built-in battery management systems to protect themselves from overcharging and undercharging situations that could cause thermal runaway. We test every single battery as part of our extensive quality assurance process before it’s shipped.

4.Peukert’s Law

Peukert’s Law describes a phenomenon that many battery users may have experienced when drawing high loads from their batteries — shorter than expected lifespan. The law explains how, as the rate of discharge increases, the resistance within the battery increases, leaving you with fewer amp-hours than expected.

The good news? This sometimes frustrating process only occurs in a significant way in old-school lead-acid batteries. Lithium users can rest easy thanks to differences in chemistry that preserve essentially full capacity regardless of how fast you’re draining your battery.

This is one of the basic benefits of lithium over lead-acid batteries that can be hard to really appreciate without an understanding of the Peukert effect. Once learned, however, it’s a major game-changer!

5.Solid-State Battery

The battery world is changing and developing every day, with new technology creating innovative solutions to power problems. Many companies are working on the next wave of lithium batteries, known as solid-state batteries.

These batteries replace the traditional liquid electrolyte used in battery chemistry with a one-of-a-kind solid one. These solid-state batteries will be lighter and smaller than other lithium batteries, as well as being completely non-flammable. We are excited about how this incredible advancement could change the world of lithium batteries.

Knowing About Lithium Batteries Can Help You in the Future

You don’t have to be a psychic or a futurist to see that old-school lead-acid batteries are quickly being replaced by superior technology. People no longer have to accept poor efficiency, higher wait times, and more shallow discharges in their batteries.

Lithium batteries are the future, poised to one day entirely replace traditional ones. Taking the time now to learn the lithium battery basics is worthwhile as you’ll find yourself ahead of the game while many others play catch-up. Remember these terms and concepts, and you’ll be ready to take advantage of the growing drift toward a lithium battery world!